Essex County, Va. Wills # 13  1775-1785 - Pages 45-46 Francis Brizendine
Will drawn up 6/4/1776        Will probated 8/19/1776

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The Will of Francis Brizendine

In the name of God, amen. I, FRANCIS BRIZENDINE of South Farnham Parish in the county of 
Essex, being sick and weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory, praise be God for 
the same, do think proper to make this my last will and testament in form and manner 
following;

First and primarily I resign my soul (to) God that gave it and my body to be decently 
buryed at the discretion of my Executors. Thereafter mentioned are among my worldly 
estate to which hath pleased God to bestow on me I dispose of as followeth:

Vizt - Item - I lend to my loving wife, ELIZABETH BRIZENDINE, during her natural life 
or widowhood, all my whole estatet, both real and personal, and after her death I give 
it as followeth: Item - I give and bequeath to my son, FRANCIS BRIZENDINE the tract of 
land that formerly belonged to DANIEL DOBYNS and to his heirs forever. Item - I give and 
bequeath to my two sons, THOMAS BRIZENDINE and RANDOLPH BRIZENDINE my land that belonged 
to THO. FITZJEFFRIES and the land that I purchased of JAMES O'NEAL and THOMAS COOPER, 
behind a piece I purchased of WM. CHEANEY to be equally divided between they two and 
their heirs forever, and if either of them should die without heir lawfully begotten, 
his part of said land to the other, and if they both should die without heir lawfully
begotten, then to my son, ARMESTED BRIZENDINE and his heirs.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, ARMESTED BRIZENDINE my tract of land whereon I now 
live and his heirs lawfully begotten forever, and if he should die without such lawful 
heir, then to be equally divided between THOMAS BRIZENDINE and RANDOLPH BRIZENDINE, my 
sons. And further it is my will and desire that my daughter SUSANNA BRIZENDINE shall 
live without interruption at my place whereon I now live as long as she lives single.

Item: I give unto my son, FRANCIS BRIZENDINE my Negro boy named --------(unreadable) and 
to his heirs forever. 

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, THOMAS BRIZENDINE my Negro woman, Callie Fanny and 
one feather bed of furniture and to his heirs forever. However, if he should die without 
heir lawfully begotten then to my two sons RANDOLPH  and ARMESTED and their heirs forever. 
I give and bequeath to my son, RANDOLPH BRIZENDINE my Negro girl MAMIE and pot and one 
feather bed of furniture and to his heirs lawfully begotten, and for lack of such heir 
to be divided between my two sons THOMAS and ARMESTED, and 
their heirs.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son, ARMESTED BRIZENDINE my Negro man, JOE, and my Negro 
boy SHERMAN and one feather bed and furniture and to his heirs lawfully begotten, and for 
want of such heir to be divided between my two sons, THOMAS and RANDOLPH.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, MARY BUSH my Negro boy, JAMES and to her heirs 
forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, SUSANNA BRIZENDINE my Negro girl, PEGG, and one 
feather bed and furniture and if she should die without heir lawfully begotten to be equally 
divided between my three sons, viz. THOMAS, RANDOLPH and ARMESTED and to their heirs.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter-in-law, DINAH CHANEY ten pounds cash and if she 
should die without heir to be divided amongst my children. Further my will and desire is 
that after the death of my wife, my Negro fellow named ARTHUR and all the remainder of my 
personal estate not yet mentioned be equally divided amongst all my children, the said fellow 
not to be sold outside of the family.

Lastly, I appoint my loving wife, ELIZABETH BRIZENDINE and my son, THOMAS BRIZENDINE my 
whole and sole Executors to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of June one thousand seven hundred seventy six.

Signed, sealed in the                    FRANCIS X BRIZENDINE
presence of                                        (his mark)
ANDREW ALLEN
JOHN BROOCKE
THOMAS BROOCKE

Submitted by Carol Bush Sikes
csikes@montana.com